Kolkata : Argentina have officially announced their 26-man squad for the FIFA World Cup 2026, with Lionel Messi set to lead the defending champions in a record sixth World Cup appearance for the Argentine captain.
With 26 appearances, Messi holds the current record for the most World Cup matches by any player – and will join Portugal forward Cristiano Ronaldo, 41, as the only male players to appear in a sixth edition of football’s biggest event this summer.
Head coach Lionel Scaloni has largely trusted the core group that lifted the trophy in Qatar in 2022, retaining 17 members from that historic squad. Emiliano Martinez, Cristian Romero, Rodrigo De Paul, Enzo Fernandez, Alexis Mac Allister, Julian Alvarez, and Lautaro Martinez all made the final list as Argentina prepare to defend their crown in the United States, Canada, and Mexico.
The squad also features several younger faces as Scaloni begins blending the next generation into the national setup. Rising talents such as Nico Paz, Thiago Almada, Giuliano Simeone, Valentin Barco, and Jose Manuel Lopez earned places in the final squad after impressive club performances.
One notable absentee is Angel Di Maria, who retired from international football after the 2024 Copa America triumph, while Marcos Acuna missed out because of fitness concerns. Real Madrid’s Franco Mastantuono, who is considered one of the brightest prospects in Argentine football, has been excluded from the roster. Emiliano Buendia and Roma star Paulo Dybala have also been omitted from the squad. Left-back Marcos Acuna has missed out on making the cut due to fitness issues.
Argentina will enter the tournament among the favorites after a dominant qualifying campaign and a strong run under Scaloni since their 2022 World Cup success.Argentina are in Group J and begin their campaign in Kansas City against Algeria (17 June), before they play two games in Dallas, against Austria (22 June) and Jordan (28 June).
With Messi still leading the side and a balanced mix of experience and youth, Argentina will be aiming to become the first nation since Brazil in 1962 to successfully defend the FIFA World Cup title.
Lionel Messi’s injury update –
The biggest talking point around the squad announcement remains Messi’s condition. The Inter Miami star recently suffered a hamstring-related injury scare during an MLS match, creating concern among Argentina supporters just weeks before the tournament. However, Scaloni and Argentina’s medical staff remain optimistic about his recovery timeline, which played a major role in the decision to include him in the final squad.
Scaloni admitted Messi is unlikely to arrive “fully fit” but remains confident that the captain will recover in time for Argentina’s opening matches. The coaching staff is expected to closely monitor his workload during the final preparation camp before the World Cup begins.
Argentina squad:
Goalkeepers: Emiliano Martínez, Gerónimo Rulli, Juan Musso.
Defenders: Gonzalo Montiel, Nahuel Molina, Lisandro Martínez, Nicolás Otamendi, Leonardo Balerdi, Cristian Romero, Nicolás Tagliafico, Facundo Medina.
Midfielders: Giovani Lo Celso, Leandro Paredes, Rodrigo De Paul, Exequiel Palacios, Enzo Fernández, Alexis Mac Allister, Valentín Barco.
Forwards: Lionel Messi, Nicolás González, Giuliano Simeone, Lautaro Martínez, José Manuel López, Julián Álvarez, Thiago Almada, Nico Paz.
